shabz1978

that's a good point, about the failiure rate of roadside trees, they're certainly always a heavier beat-up, but surely there are greater environmental concerns in these areas than how the bankings are maintained? anything that can help the trees to NOT fail surely must be a good idea? the way i see it is that all pesticides are subject to testing before being licensed, there are guidelines regarding ppe to be used, buffer zones, accidental spill measures etc. you need trained operatives to apply the stuff, so what is the problem with using it in forestry? the sites i have treated were usually done 2 or 3 times after planting, then not touched for forty years, surely any detrimental effect should be greatly reduced by the time it may be treated again? i remember, you used to be able to eat eggs, then, one day you couldn't, they were full of salmonella!! you used to be able to eat T-bone steaks untill we found out they were all infected with BSE!! i remember seeing a PETA leaflet handed out at schools explaining the dangers of drinking that evil milk stuff.

hi lads, i've read this thread with great interest since i've used glyphosate based products regularly for the last 15 years, mainly on large scale forestry and roadside contracts, spraying hundreds of hectares per year. i'm confused though, what economically viable alternatives are there? there cannot possibly be enough money in timber to afford squads of men spreading mulch over the millions of trees that the FC plant every season which is surely the biggest use of herbicides? and, as has been said, weed control is paramount to the growth of timber. surely it is a necessary evil? it's a small amount of people looking after a very large number of trees.

have a look at http://www.brightwells.co.uk it's an auction house near hereford or somewhere, they show you how much they're going for every week, utility 90's and 110's are seriously cheap at the minute, to do with the fuel prices i suppose? plus the anti-fun government. they sell heaps of jap 4x4s too. the savings would easily pay for the travelling. They say 80% of land rovers ever made are still on the road! The other 20% actually made it home.

i was thinking of starting a database of trees, like a tree id book but with the ability to match criteria with possible species, for instance, you'd take photos of the leaves and the bark etc, note the shape of the leaf, the colour etc. then you could enter the info to find the tree. i think it'd help me learn personally. is there all ready such a thing?

i planted/sprayed trees in the forests since i left school, then eventually got the saw ticket to guarentee continuity of work just went from there. still learning, can't get enough.

i love it!! i enojoy climbing so much that, when i get home i sit on the internet reading about others doing it!!!! i'd still work if i won the lottery. i'd just have a nicer motor to get me there.

i think work based learning is the way forward but there still needs to be short courses for the likes of farmers and occasional users, maybe trainers could offer an apprenticeship as an alternative for employers who are going to train people from start to finish. this could be cheaper too since it is guarenteed repeat custom for the training provider. it would also be nice not to need to register with nptc 15 times, paying every time.

i think that the system is long overdue for reform. i've been working in the arb industry for maybe four years and the only times that i've felled trees in forests for product has been on my training courses, so how is it that i almost failed cs33 for cutting the stump too high? in my entire career i've cut trees then cut the stumps down. just a small point, but i'm sure 70% of new chainsaw users will be much the same with most being employed in the utility sectors. i'd like to see more theoretical training, some information on why you're pruning cuts are where they should be and what effects you are having on the tree. more emphasis could be put on hazard and ill health evaluation. i've just completed an nvq at a college, it's basically an apprentiship, for a complete new starter, it takes up to 18 months, you build a portfolio of work that you do, it includes photographs, witness testimonies, proof of training, testimony from mentors etc. this , i feel, is a far more valuable way to learn rather than merely going on three, week long courses.

i didn't see this page when i last posted, this stuffs far more interesting.

thanks for the comments guys, the way that the isa cert works was what attracted me to it. i love learning and having to gain extra credit over the three years would be a great excuse to do more short courses etc. i can see that it could be a pain if you cannot afford the time though. personally i think there is too much economical pressure put onto contractors, you just can't seriously charge enough money to justify the h&s, insurance, fuel and training costs.

thanks a lot guys, i've found a part time degree course in arboriculture, i think i'm gonna do that. my original plan was to do the first rfs one or the isa thing then go on to the prof diploma from rfs but i reckon they will take just as long as the degree course. i might do the rfs exams in the meantime though.

i just wondered if many had done the isa exams and what's involved etc. how much more employable would i be if i had this and are the alternatives more worthwhile (rfs and aa tech cert.)

howdy doodle folks, i'd have said hi earlier but i didn't realise i could post yet!! bit of a numpty for this internet stuff. compliments to the chef though for the shiny new forum.